Autopsy: Girl, 2, died of injuries from child abuse

A 2-year-old girl found dead in her Lansing home suffered blunt force injuries from child abuse and her death has been ruled a homicide, officials said today.

Jahariah Patterson was found unresponsive in her home in the 17900 block of Wildwood Avenue around 2 p.m. on Wednesday, authorities said. An autopsy was conducted by the Cook County medical examiner’s office today.

Neighbors said the street in front of the home was cordoned off Wednesday evening as police and emergency crews entered and exited the home.

“I didn’t even know they had a child there,” said Dora Jablonski, 53, who lives two doors down. She said she never saw a toddler at the home.

She said she was stunned to come home from work Wednesday and find a crime scene. “You don’t come home to find police cars and media everywhere,” Jablonski said. "This is not a dangerous neighborhood.”